New poll on religion and the Australian Constitution

So a minor addition or amendment to Section 116 would clearly define Australia as a secular nation. It would allow the High Court to make judgements to uphold unmistakable secular values where religion invades the public realm -- chaplains in public schools, one-denominational religious instruction, Christian prayers in parliament, and all those areas where religion has dominated the mindset of so many nations for almost 2000 years.

Such a change would also put on notice federal and state politicians who, in cavalier fashion, impose their own personal religious beliefs rather than comply with the wishes of their electorates. There's a raft of contemporary social policy issues that demand political action but are thwarted by parliamentarians brandishing religious texts written in the Bronze Age.

This perpetual interference in social and political policy makes a mockery of the shrill cries of Church leaders who claim their voice is being banished from the public square by demonising secular interests.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Christianity's small but still-powerful hierarchies continue to wield enormous political and media influence -- far beyond their congregation strength, which now stands at just 8% of the national population.

So it is no longer surprising that almost 80% of Australians now want outstanding issues on the public agenda to be legalised. Same-sex marriage and voluntary euthanasia are just two that have been interminably blocked on religious grounds.

This landmark IPSOS poll is a stark warning to politicians that it's time to finally separate the entire process of government from centuries of political influence by the Churches, and their professional lobbyists. And while it will take longer to have that minor clause added to Section 116, the unmistakable intent of those who framed the constitution of 1901 is plain for all to see.